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the grooveyard

Lost Sydney band Grooveyard's recorded legacy emerges from the vaults

_{Larry McGrath photo.}

Another cache of gems has emerged from the mists of time that obscure the 1980s Australian underground music scene: The back catalogue of Sydney’s Grooveyard have been posthumously re-released.
Hindsight shows The Grooveyard was something of a supergroup. At various times, its ranks included future Paul Kelly and Messengers, Chinless Elite and Hell To Pay member Jon Schofield, Lime Spidersdrummer Richard Lawson, ex-Razar member and future Screaming Tribesmen Bob Wackley, Geoff Rhoe (ex-Minuteman), Ian Little (Bambalams) and Sean Maguire (ex-Minuteman).

Swimming against the Detroit tide that was gripping most of Sydney, Grooveyard peddled a distinctive and stunning brand of ‘60s-influenced powerpop and issued the Chris Masuak-produced “Avalanche of Love” single (1984) and 12-inch EP (“Grooveyard”, 1989). All tracks are rolling out on digital platforms from today..
Two chances only to catch the jangle pop of The Grooveyard

Members went on to Paul Kelly and the Coloured Girls, the Lime Spiders, Hell To Pay, the Screaming Tribesmen and The Bambalams but The Grooveyard was the one that got away in the Sydney inner city scene of the 1980s. Next wedeend's I-94 Bar presented reformation shows in Canberra and Sydney are some of the most keenly anticiopated of the year so far and supports have been announced.

Local heroes Il Bruto are on the undercard at Smiths Alternative in Canberra on Friday, February 7 and are an obvious choice with a set list reprising many of the songs that influenced Australia's underground scene, while at Sydney's Marrickville Bowling Club on Saturday, February 8 supports will be powerpop supremos The On and Ons and Van Ruin.

The On and Ons have played only sporadically in recent months and their membership includes former members of the Hoodoo Gurus, Screaming Tribesmen and Died Pretty. They were personally requested by Grooveyard's Jon Schofield.

Van Ruin are making their city debut and are Phil Van Rooyen(ex-Panadolls, Circus Chaplins) with former members of the New Christs, Lime Spiders and The Visitors.

The Grooveyard made a telling but brief mark on Sydney with a Chris Masuak-produced 45 "Avalanche of Love" in 1984 and an EP, both of which against the prevailing Detroit Rock trend of the time. More Byrds than Birdman, their jangle pop sounds are as fresh now as they were back then.

It's an early start to the Canberra gig (6.30pm) and tickets are here, and Sydney pre-sales are briskly moving here.

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The Living Eye

Right eye
I-94 Bar Records and Promotions presents
The Grooveyard
+ Il Bruto
Smiths Alternative, Canberra
Tickets
- Feb 7
+ The On and Ons
+ Van Ruin
(city debut)
- Feb 8
Tickets

I-94 Bar Records and Promotions presents
The Mick Medew & Ursula 4
"In The Zone"
NSW Album Launches
+ East Coast Low
+ Jupiter 5
Stag & Hunter, Mayfield
- Feb 14
Tickets
+ The Dark Clouds
+ Jupiter 5
Marrickville Bowling Club
- Feb 15
Tickets

Bahne Super-Flex
+ DISGRACELand
+ Ellie Vandelle
Brass Monkey, Cronulla, NSW
- Feb 15
Tickets

The D4
Australiasian Tour
FEB
NZ
7 - Totara Street Mount Maunganui
8 - JOE'S FARM, Whangamata
AUS
13 - The Brightside Brisbane
14 - Mary's Underground, Sydney
15 - The Tote, Collingwood Vic
NZ
21 - Meow, Wellington
22 - Rosemary’s, Taupō
28 - The Kaipara Tavern, Helensville
MAR
1 - Harbour View Hotel Raglan
Raglan
14 - Spark Arena, Auckland
15 - Loons, Christchurch

The Osees
Australian Tour
FEB
+ Straight Arrows
3 – Princess Theatre, Brisbane
Tickets
+ Straight Arrows
5 - Miami Marketta
Tickets
+ Prix D’Amour + The Ghoulies
8 – Freo Social, Fremantle, WA
Tickets
9 – Lion Arts Factory, Adelaide, SA
Tickets
+ The Blinds
10 – Croxton Hotel, Melbourne
SOLD OUT
+ Modal Melodies
11 - Croxton Hotel, Melbourne
Tickets
+ RMFC
15 – The Metro Threatre, Sydney
Tickets

Tickets via metrotheatre.com.au

I-94 Bar Records and Promotions presents
Dr Psychedelic Poodle (JPN)
+ Jupiter 5
+ Cheetah Beat
MoshPit, St Peters (NSW)
- Feb 22
(2pm)
Tickets

Bahne Super-Flex
+ 1978
Botany View Hotel
- Feb 22
Tickets

The Beasts
Corner Hotel, VIC
- Feb 21
Tickets
Manning Bar, NSW
- Feb 22
Tickets

SoundPressing presents
Songs and Stories of Charlie Owen
Tasmanian Tour
FEB
27 - Cygnet Bowls & Community Club, Cygnet
28 - The Grand Poobah, Hobart
MAR
2 Mar - Valentino Safe Co, Lilydale
(2pm)

Joeys Coop
+ The Finalists (single launch)
The Union, Newtown
- March 9
(5pm, free)

Kim Salmon’s Smoked Salmon
Australian Tour
MAR
7 - Lyric Lane, Perth - Tix
8 - Gerry's Gold Neighbourhood
Laneway Music Festival, Gerry's Lane, Freo (Kim solo)
8 - Mojo's, Fremantle - Tix
9 - The River, Margaret River (Kim solo)
14 - Bridge Hotel, Castlemaine, Vic - Tix
20 - Smiths Alternative, Canberra - Tix
21 - La La La's, Wollongong - Tix
22 - Petersham Bowling Club, Sydney - Tix
30 - Barwon Club, Geelong - Tix
APR
4 - Bearded Lady, Brisbane - Tix
5 - Vinnie's Dive Bar, Gold Coast - Tix
6 - Bangalow Bowlo, Bangalow, NSW - Tix
11 - The Grace Emily, Adelaide - Tix
12 - Northcote Social Club, Melbourne - Tix

Guitar Wolf
Australian Tour
MAR
21 - The Curtin, Melbourne
(w/ The Prize + The States)
22 - Bambra Music Festival (afternoon)
22 - Jerkiest 10, Barwon Club Hotel, Geelong
23 - Singing Bird Studios, Frankston VIC
(w/ Gnome + more! All Ages show, 4-9pm)
24 - Thornbury Picture House, Melba
(W/ "Wild Zero: screening)
25 - Trash Cult, Bendigo
(w/ Poppin' Mommas)
27 - The Bridge Hotel, Castlemaine, VIC
(w/Leon)
28 - Brisbane Crowbar
(w/ The Onyas + Eyes Ninety)
29 - Factory Floor, Sydney
(w/ Antenna + The Crankees)
APR
3 - Crown and Anchor, Adelaide
4 - Seasonal Brewing, Perth
(w/ Zerodent & The Murderbirds)
5 - Prince of Wales, Bunbury, WA
(w/ Turd!)
6 - Buffalo Club, Fremantle, WA
(5.30pm doors)
Tickets

The 5.6.7.8s
Australian Tour
MAR
20 – Sydney Crowbar
+ Psychotic Turnbuckles + Cheetah Beat
Tickets
21 – Powerhouse, Brisbane
Tickets
22 – High Country Hop Festival,
Beechworth, VIC
Tickets
23 – After Bar, Hobart
Tickets
25 – The Tote, Melbourne
SOLD OUT
26 – The Last Chance, Melbourne
Tickets

The Stranglers
50 Years In Black
2025 Australasian Tour
MAR
13 - Powerstation, Auckland. NZ
15 - Meow Nui, Wellington, NZ
16 - Christchurch Town Hall, Christchurch, NZ
19 - Enmore Theatre, Sydney
20 - The Tivoli, Brisbane
22- Forum, Melbourne
23 - The Gov, Adelaide
25 - Astor Theatre, Perth
Tickets

The Stems
East Coast Australian Tour 2025
APR
23 - Northcote Social Club
24 - Sydney Crowbar
25 - Gum Ball Festival, Hunter Valley, NSW
26 - Old Museum, Brisbane
Tickets

Cherie Currie
Australian Tour
with Hot Machine
SEP
5 - Rosemount, Perth
6 - Crown and Anchor, Adelaide
11 - The Corner Hotel, Melbourne
12 – Sydney Crowbar
13 – Brisbane Crowbar
Tickets